Molecular Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Isolates From a Single Finisher Building for Determination of Horizontal Transmission of Resistance Genes

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium Phage Type DT104 contains a region where five major antibiotic genes are located, which has been named Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI1) (Boyd, et al, 2002) and bound by Class I integrons which have been shown to aid in transferring genes horizontally. Antibiotic resistance profiles, Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were used to determine if these genes are present in the serovars

Identification of Swine Salmonella serotypes Using Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis of Conserved Xba1 Fragments

Swine Salmonella isolates (n=674) from various locations throughout the United States and Canada were analyzed via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with Xba1. PFGE subtypes were analyzed by cluster analysis and compared to conventional serotyping results. The analysis showed a correlation of serotype to PFGE subtype. In addition, conserved fragments were identified within the restriction patterns that were unique to each serotype. PFGE using Xba1 restriction provides a screening method for identifying swine Salmonella serotypes

Changes in inferior vena cava area represent a more sensitive metric than changes in filling pressures during experimental manipulation of intravascular volume and tone

AIMS: Remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure has reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in chronic HF as elevation of pulmonary artery pressure provides information that can guide treatment. The venous system is characterized by high capacitance, thus substantial increases in intravascular volume can occur before filling pressures increase. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a highly compliant venous conduit and thus a candidate for early detection of change in intravascular volume. We aimed to compare IVC cross-sectional area using a novel sensor with cardiac filling pressures during experimental manipulation of volume status, vascular tone, and cardiac function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experiments were conducted in sheep to manipulate volume status (colloid infusion), vascular tone (nitroglycerin infusion) and cardiac function (rapid cardiac pacing). A wireless implantable IVC sensor was validated ex-vivo and in-vivo, and then used to measure the cross-sectional area of the IVC. Right- and left-sided cardiac filling pressures were obtained via right heart catheterization. The IVC sensor provided highly accurate and precise measurements of cross-sectional area in ex-vivo and in-vivo validation. IVC area changes were more sensitive than the corresponding changes in cardiac filling pressures during colloid infusion (p < 0.001), vasodilatation (p < 0.001) and cardiac dysfunction induced by rapid pacing (p ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Inferior vena cava area can be remotely and accurately measured in real time with a wireless implantable sensor. Changes in IVC area are more sensitive than corresponding changes in filling pressures following experimental volume loading and fluid redistribution. Additional research is warranted to understand if remote monitoring of the IVC may have advantages over pressure-based monitors in HF

Use of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis of Conserved XbaI Fragments for Identification of Swine Salmonella Serotypes

Swine Salmonella isolates (n = 674) from various locations throughout the United States and Canada were analyzed via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI. PFGE subtypes were analyzed by cluster analysis and compared to conventional serotyping results. The analysis showed a correlation of serotype to PFGE subtype. In addition, conserved fragments were identified within the restriction patterns that were unique to each serotype. PFGE using XbaI restriction provided a possible alternative method for screening and identifying swine Salmonella serotypes

Type II JAK2 inhibition in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A variety of cancers depend on JAK2 signaling, including the high-risk subset of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALLs) with CRLF2 rearrangements. Type I JAK2 inhibitors induce JAK2 hyperphosphorylation in these leukemias and have limited activity. To overcome this, we developed the type II inhibitor NVP-CHZ868, which stabilizes JAK2 in an inactive conformation. CHZ868 potently suppressed the growth of CRLF2-rearranged human B-ALL cells, abrogated JAK2 signaling, and improved survival in mice with primary human or murine B-ALL. CHZ868 and dexamethasone synergistically induced apoptosis of CRLF2-rearranged human B-ALL cells and improved survival compared to CHZ868 alone. Together, these data provide the foundation for trials of type II JAK2 inhibition in patients with CRLF2-rearranged B-ALL and other JAK2-dependent disorders